Described as a gentle giant, Thomas, who goes by T.J., enjoys sitting next to his loved ones and lying on their shoulders. He provides many laughs to his family and a hug from him can turn the roughest day into a brighter one.
He enjoys being on his iPad, shopping at Target or Walmart, and traveling, especially when he gets to make stops at rest areas for snacks.
At two years old, T.J. was evaluated and diagnosed with autism. Therapy, training sessions, and many resources have contributed to his progress. He continues to conquer the world during his journey. He has participated in Kershaw County’s Special Olympics the past several years and has often placed 1st or 2nd in the track event. Recently, he successfully completed his first cruise through Autism on the Seas—a cruise line that offers voyages for adults and families diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, and related disabilities. T.J. enjoyed exploring the ship, the music on the pool deck, and having a lot of different food options at his fingertips. He also enjoyed the stops at beaches in Nassau, The Bahamas, and the island of CocoCay. It was a dream vacation for T.J. and his family!